Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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McCoy detained overnight.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Fri

Champion jockey Tony McCoy will be kept in hospital overnight for observation following a fall at Cheltenham.

McCoy was partnering the Nicky Henderson-trained Quantitativeeasing in the Barbury International Horse Trials Handicap Hurdle when the gelding stumbled at the second flight, throwing McCoy into the air.

While he was conscious after the fall, he had to be stretchered off and following assessment at the track, McCoy was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and will spend the night there when it is then expected he will be released on Friday.

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Hughes has high hopes for Toronado.


http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Fri

Richard Hughes believes Toronado will find any chinks in the armour of red-hot Qipco 2000 Guineas favourite Dawn Approach.

Fresh from his startling performance in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday, Hughes was effusive in his praise of the new Guineas second favourite, and the jockey feels whatever beats him will win the Classic.

"The dips at Newmarket have found out many a good horse, including Canford Cliffs, but Toronado is different in that he is so well-balanced that he would gallop down the side of a mountain," Hughes told www.richardhannonracing.co.uk.

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Sacre confirmed for Punchestown.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Fri

Nicky Henderson hopes for a drying weekend after confirming Sprinter Sacre an intended runner in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase at Punchestown on Tuesday.

The brilliant seven-year-old has again been imperious this season, taking his unbeaten run over fences to nine with victories at Sandown, twice at Cheltenham and most recently Aintree.

"Sprinter Sacre is going to go to Ireland. His work has been good and everything is tickety-boo with him. I'm happy with him and he deserves to go to Ireland. There is a nice race for him there and we hope for a dry weekend," said the trainer.

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Mania back in business.


http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Fri

Grand National-winning jockey Ryan Mania came through his first ride unscathed after returning from injury on the opening day of the Scottish Grand National meeting at Ayr.

Mania made his comeback aboard the Sandy Thomson-trained Signalman, a 28-1 shot for the Play Golf At Close House Handicap Hurdle.

They grey came through to take up the running three flights from home, but eventually faded to finish fourth.

Less than 24 hours after partnering 66-1 shot Auroras Encore to a memorable success in the Grand National two weeks ago, Mania had to be airlifted to hospital after suffering a heavy fall at Hexham.

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McCoy to miss Punchestown.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sat

Tony McCoy will not ride at next week's Punchestown Festival after sustaining broken ribs in a fall at Cheltenham on Thursday.

McCoy, who will pick up his 18th jockeys' championship title next weekend, fell from Quantitativeeasing in the Barbury International Horse Trials Handicap Hurdle when Nicky Henderson's inmate stumbled at the second flight.

Following assessment at the track, McCoy was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, where X-rays revealed he had suffered broken ribs.

The jockey's personal assistant Gee Bradburne said: "Following the fall from Quantitativeeasing at Cheltenham, AP McCoy remains in Gloucestershire Hospital and is still very sore. He has broken a few ribs and was being assessed by the doctor when I spoke to him.

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Noble on Newbury mission.


http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sat

While Frankel may have retired to a lucrative stud career, his brother Noble Mission aims to keep the family flag flying high in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury.

Trained by Sir Henry Cecil, as was Frankel, Noble Mission has some way to go to emulate even half of his brother's achievements, but he has demonstrated a good deal of ability so far.

He beat subsequent St Leger winner Encke in the Gordon Stakes and has been placed in several other Group races, with connections expecting him to blossom as a four-year-old, starting with a good run in the race better known as the John Porter.

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Botti: Rain a pain for Moohaajim.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Sat

Trainer Marco Botti does not want to see any further rain for Moohaajim ahead of the Aon Greenham Stakes at Newbury.

The Cape Cross colt showed top-class form as a two-year-old when he won the Mill Reef Stakes, after which he was just touched off by Reckless Abandon in the Middle Park.

Botti has had this established 2000 Guineas trial earmarked for some time, but believes Moohaajim would not be seen at his best if it rained.

The handler said: "I've been very pleased with him through the winter and I've been looking forward to running him. On Friday the guys were saying it was just on the soft side of good and there's a little bit of rain forecast. I don't want to run him on soft ground as he wouldn't be at his best. He looks very well and has been training well."

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Maureen the Newbury darling.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Sat

Maureen produced what looked a smart performance to land the Dubai Duty Free Stakes (registered as the Fred Darling) at Newbury.

Favourite Rosdhu Queen, who got a little fractious and reared up just before the stalls opened, jumped out in front in a bid to maintain her unbeaten record on her first try at seven furlongs, and the answer to the stamina question two furlongs out looked like it might be positive.

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Judge clinches National for King.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Sat

Godsmejudge became the youngest horse since 2001 to win the Coral Scottish Grand National when running out an emphatic winner of the Ayr marathon.

The seven-year-old, sent off a 12-1 shot, emulated Gingembre 12 years ago to show older rivals a clean pair of heels when galloping to a four-length verdict over Midlands National hero Big Occasion (12-1). Mister Marker (25-1) was nine lengths away third, with Tour Des Champs (25-1) fourth.

It was a fitting success for Scottish-born trainer Alan King and jockey Wayne Hutchinson, who has proved an able deputy for injured stable jockey Robert Thornton.

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Greenham glory for team Hannon.


http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sun

The supreme run of success in the Classic trials for the Richard Hannon team continued as Olympic Glory claimed victory in the Aon Greenham Stakes at Newbury.

Richard Hughes held his mount up towards the rear through the early stages, with just main market rival Moohaajim behind him.

It did look at one stage as though Marco Botti's challenger might be moving much the better, but the 8-11 favourite found plenty for Hughes in the end to run out a comfortable length winner from 20-1 chance Sir Patrick Moore.

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Johnston strikes with Universal.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sun

Mark Johnston can start mapping out an attractive plan for Universal after his gutsy victory in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise (John Porter) Stakes at Newbury.

Although the chestnut (11-1) could only manage one third from his stint in Dubai, his health has clearly benefited from the Gulf warmth as he had landed a Lingfield handicap a fortnight earlier.

Tenacious from the front under Silvestre de Sousa, he looked a sitting duck when 5-4 favourite Noble Mission loomed alongside, but Frankel's brother failed to really go through with his challenge and had to settle for third, two heads behind Universal and Quiz Mistress.

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Dante likely for Windhoek.


http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sun

Newmarket winner Windhoek looks set to take his chance in the Betfred Dante Stakes at York next month.

The Mark Johnston-trained three-year-old is unbeaten in two starts after a profitable reappearance in the £200,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Trophy at HQ on Thursday.

The result pleasantly surprised Johnston, who expressed the view afterwards that he had expected the Cape Cross colt to have needed the run.

He is not in the Investec Derby at this stage, but is owned by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and looks like getting the chance to stake his claim for a Classic chance in the major Knavesmire trial on May 16.

Johnston said: "I've only had a brief discussion with John Ferguson (bloodstock advisor to Sheikh Mohammed), but he'll probably go to the Dante."

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Mullins hoping to strike gold.


http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Sun

Willie Mullins hopes Sir Des Champs can end his long losing spell in the Bet Online With The Tote.com Punchestown Gold Cup by winning the Grade One feature on Wednesday.

It is a race the champion trainer loves to win, but he has drawn a blank since Florida Pearl was successful in 2002, despite having several horses placed.

He has the favourite this year in Sir Des Champs, who has shown himself to be the best staying chaser in Ireland by winning the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February as well as finishing second to Bobs Worth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

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Telescope to swerve Sandown.


http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Sun

Investec Derby favourite Telescope will not make his seasonal debut at Sandown Park on Saturday.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt had been in the frame to run in a one-mile conditions stakes at the Esher circuit, but owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing said he will bypass the assignment in preference for an outing at Chester or York.

Highclere tweeted: "Telescope will not run at Sandown and will instead head to either the Dee Stakes at Chester or the Dante at York. He is in great form."

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McNamara transferred to Dublin.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Mon

JT McNamara was on Sunday transferred to hospital in Dublin following the serious neck injury he sustained at the Cheltenham Festival last month.

McNamara was injured following a fall from Galaxy Rock at the first fence in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup and had to be airlifted to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, where he had remained.